Nic Moschetti wins skeet at Junior Olympics; World Cup is next

When he was a senior at Broomfield High School, Nic Moschetti earned a scholarship to Lindenwood University in Missouri for his shooting and academics. He since has transferred to the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. In this photo from 2016, he holds his competition shotgun at his home in Broomfield. (Jeremy Papasso / Staff Photographer)

Nic Moschetti began gracing headlines years ago by collecting titles with his proficiency at the shooting range, and he has not lost momentum.

Now a college sophomore, the Broomfield High School graduate has earned spots on the United States Junior World Cup team and a USA Shooting team that will compete internationally this fall.

In June, he won the National Junior Olympics competition in Colorado Springs, which is for shooters under age 21, which earned him a spot on the World Cup team. That team will travel to Porpetto, Italy Aug. 19 through Aug. 22. He will travel with the other two finishers from the Junior Olympics.

Moschetti, 19, also won the USA Shooting National Championships in July and combined with the Junior Olympics win — solidified his spot on a three-member team that will travel to Moscow in September.

Both competitions had around 80 contestants competing.

Moschetti, who earned a full ride to the private Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, for his shooting and academics, recently transferred to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. After he won the Junior Olympics, he was approached to become a resident athlete at the training center in Colorado Springs and transferred to continue his education.

While at Lindenwood, he also won a collegiate national championship.

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"I loved being a Lion," he said of his time in Missouri.

He made the move to Colorado Springs to concentrate on shooting, he said, and plans to be there through the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.

"If I'm serious about shooting, now is my time to really focus on that and still maintain school," Moschetti said.

He is seeking a bachelor of science degree with emphasis in sports management. Being close to the U.S. Olympic Committee and different governing bodies also can open up opportunities for internships and jobs after he graduates.

Nic Moschetti, center, is pictured with his parents at the National Junior Olympic Skeet Championships in June. (Rachelle Moschetti / Courtesy Photo)

"I know I'm not going to be an athlete for the rest of my life, but (would like) to stay around athletes and the rest of the sports world," he said.

He was home for a few days last week.

Moschetti has been competing internationally since he was 14 and trains about five days a week.

"What a lot of people don't realize is there's a lot of mental training — visualization, mental prep, relaxation exercises," he said. "Throughout the day there's always something I could do to better myself such as physically training at the range or hitting the gym and staying at the top physical performance."

Shooting itself doesn't take a lot of strength, he said, but when competitions are ffor days in the sun, a competitor needs endurance and a strong core.

"There's more that goes into it that what meets the eye," he said.

His mother Rachelle Moschetti said her son's talent was "God-given for sure," but that his father began taking Nic out when he was young to hunt birds.

"From the age of 4- or 5-years-old the boy had some sort of gun in his hands in regard to hunting or being an outdoorsman," she said.

She is proud that Nic is representing the United States at the World Cup, which happens ever year, and at the World Championships, which happens ever four years.

"It's pretty exciting stuff," Rachelle Moschetti said.

With a child who pursues this type of path, it becomes a family affair, she said, and they have been as supportive as possible to make those accomplishments happen.

"My family has been my biggest support team," Nic said. "My dad was the one who really got me into shooting, who was my original coach. Lord only knows how many hours I've spent with him on the range."

He said he is forever grateful for their help.

"Whatever I choose to do, and wherever I am in the world competing, I know I'm supported by my family," he said. "When you go to bed at night, to have that backing, it's almost like a warm hug."

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